Halloween in Korea at the Towers

Halloween is not a holiday that is celebrated in Korea.  Since we live on base and in the towers, we still were able to celebrate Halloween the American way.  Our floor decided to have a potluck dinner before the designated 6-8pm trick-or-treating time. We all met in the common area outside the elevators around 5:00.

There was so much food and all of it was delicious.  Everyone from our floor came out to visit, eat, and mingle. It was great to get to know my neighbors even better.  All the kids sat by the elevator.  It was so fun to see all the kids together dressed up in their costumes.

When it got close to 6:00, we had everyone clean up and bring out their candy.  Instead of going door to door, we put all our candy dishes out on one table.  There were 8 large bowls filled with candy.  As the kids came off the stairs, they would just line up and take a candy from each of the bowls.  The kids were so cute and all of them were extremely polite.  The kids were also very respectful and pretty much all of them just took one candy from each bowl.  All the bowls stayed filled until the very end!  Our floor had enough candy for all the kids that came trick-or-treating.

I stayed with the candy to help keep order while Kevin took the kids trick-or treating.  The elevators were backed up due to all the kids, so he took the kids on the stairs.  The went up to the top floor and then took the stairs down each floor.  All the floors set up their trick-or-treating in the general area just like our floor.  Some people sat in chairs around the common area and handed out candy and some had tables out like ours.  There were also a few floors that set up haunted halls for the kids to walk through.

We have some friend that live on the 2nd floor and when they saw Little Monster, they kept calling him over and dumping candy in his bucket.  Of course Kevin, with his dental background, doesn't want too much candy, so he was trying to get Monster away, and they kept getting him to walk back to them.

When the kids were done on the first floor, they waited for the elevator to take back to our floor.  It stopped on the 2nd floor and when the doors opened and our friends saw who was in the elevator, they started chucking candy at Kevin and the kids! They threw handful after handful of candy until the elevator door closed.  When the kids stepped off the elevator to our floor, they were still laughing.

When we got everything cleaned up and got back in the house, the kids all proclaimed that this was their best Halloween ever!  They ended up having more candy then the last three years combined, and it was all the good stuff.  They had piles and piles of the best Halloween candy.  I didn't even have to throw away a single piece of candy this year.

Church Halloween Party

Our church had a Halloween Party and Kevin volunteered to be in charge.  He volunteered a good month before the event was to happen.  After that time, the base made plans and ended up having an event the same time as our party, so it was decided to cancel the Branch Party.  A week before the base wide Halloween Party, signs were posted that the base Halloween party was being canceled because the Korean town which we live in- Pyeongtaek, was hosting a Halloween Party the same time as the base party and was to be held at the Songtan Entertainment District (SED) right outside the gate.  The base wants to build their community relationship, so they cancelled all base ran Halloween events and encourage people to support the community.

With a week to go, it was decided that the Branch Halloween party was back on.  Let's talk about one of the busiest and most stressful weeks ever.  Luckily, Holly Rust came to the rescue and co-teamed it with me.  Together we came up with a bunch of Carnival Games that we wanted at the party.  We decided to make it a chili cook-off and with the limited amount of time, we just asked that everyone bring chili and corn bread.  Kevin designed a flier and we had it printed up.  I e-mailed everyone, posted the invite on Facebook, and had Big Sis and M&M and Holly's oldest boy take the fliers to all the families on base, front door service style.  We knew that the key to a successful party is attendance.

I called out for help and got so much help with making the signs, games, decorating, and making games.  When the day arrived, we had plenty people come and help put up decorations.  The pavilion looked amazing, thanks to Holly and her amazing decorations.

The carnival was all set up and included games such as:

Ghouls and Goblin toss,

Make a Mummy,

Ping Pong Pumpkin,

Face Painting,

Candy Corn Throw,

Ghost Busters,

Tombstone throw,

Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, Poke a Pumpkin,

and Guess How Many!

The youth stepped up and ran all the carnival games while the littles played for about 45 min.  Holly stepped up even more and went above and beyond and had prizes for the kids!  While the kids were playing, parents were bringing food, setting up and socializing.

Dinner was amazing.  There were so many chili's to choose from and they were all delicious.  Each person was given three dry beans to put in a cup in front of the chili they thought was the best.  We were having a true chili cook-off to find the best chili maker.  There was a chili that had sweet potatoes in it that was so amazing.  There was another one that had pineapple, that one got my vote! The cornbread was also so very delicious.  The Branch really stepped up and brought more then enough food.  A lot of people also brought friends.  It was a great and successful night.

Kevin dressed up as a knight, I was a queen, Big Sis was Luna Lovegood, M&M was a unicorn, Little A was Jasmin and Monster was a dragon!

This party would not have been successful if it hadn't been for Holly and all the other ladies that helped out.  It really was a great night.  We ended the party with a trunk-or-treat.  All the kids were able to go around and trick-or-treat at all the car trunks.  Our kids ended up with more candy then any other trunk-or-treat they had participated in.  We really have an amazing church here.  Everyone stayed and helped to clean up too.  We never had a set up or clean up crew, but we had more then enough people there helping.  Happy Halloween!!

Cafe CF

Kevin and I were super excited about this little gem that we found in the SED!  Cafe CF is on the second story of a building like all other restaurants in the SED.  There is one small dark door leading to a stairway to the Cafe on the second story.  If you don't know what you are looking for, you pass right by the door.  In fact, we have passed by Cafe CF so many times and have never seen it!

Our favorite date is to grab a card game and go to a cafe.  We love trying out the different drinks, desserts and especially love the ambiance of cafes.  What caught our attention was the small signs that were in front of the cafe doors.  There were three small signs that had some amazing looking desserts.

When we got up the stairs, I knew immediately that I found our new favorite location and date spot! The cafe is set up in a very romantic style.  There are private booths in the corner and candles all around.

We sat in the last booth and it felt as if we were the only ones in the cafe.  There is quiet music playing and the menus are so chic.

We ordered a mint oreo sundae.  It was seriously the best sundae we have both ever had.

Usually we only get one dessert and share it, but Cafe CF requires that each person purchase a drink.  I love sharing everything with Kevin, but it was awesome to be able to eat my entire dessert and not share it. So Delicious!

A Tribute to Annetta Hodson De La Cerda

Our dear sweet Annetta died on September 28, 2017 suddenly in a car accident.  Kevin and I considered Annetta a daughter and the kids considered her a best friend and family!  Annetta lived with us for the better part of last year while we lived in San Antonio.  She was funny, sassy, salty, spicy, messy, oh so very messy, mature beyond her years, loving, crazy, bubbly, Christ-like, and so very young.

She moved in with us and was in the process of trying to find a job.  We helped tweak her resume to make it look professional, and let her use the car and computer to drive to all her application drop-offs and interviews.  We helped Annetta get her very first job- Kneaders.  We knew the owner and put in a super high recommendation for her.  Annetta ate with us, laughed with us, and cried with us.

We had Christmas together and Annetta and I stayed up way later then we should have watching those sappy Hallmark Christmas movies!  Kevin would lose interest or be studying, and she was always faithfully there by my side bouncy in her seat to see the movies with me.  We would cry at all the appropriate times, and shove each other when we would spy the other crying.

We had countless hours of staying up late talking about her old boyfriends, possible new boyfriends, mission preparations, temple preparations, church and life.  Kevin and I had the opotunity to really get to know the Annetta that not a lot of people knew.  I knew her at her worst of times and her best of times.  I could tell when she was holding back, or pushing herself more then she should.  I knew when her depression was strangling her, and I knew when she was holding the Lord's hand and trusting him.  Oh how I love Annetta!  I miss her!

At moments like this, a person can go two different ways.  First, it would be easy to let the foundation under me start to shake, to question God and to question why he would let this happen to such a young girl.  Or second, to accept God's will.  To know he has a plan for Annetta, and that her leaving this life was the best thing for her and possibly what needed to happen to further his work in the lives of some people that know her. To know, truly KNOW that there is a life after this one, and to take comfort in that knowledge that we will see and hug and be reunited with our crazy Annetta.

To the cyber world out there- I know this!  I have a deep testimony that our Father in Heaven loves each and every one of us.  He has our best interests in hand, he knows the desires of our hearts.  I know that we all struggle with problems and issues in this life, and I know Annetta had many.  I know that he loved Annetta enough to let her live her dreams and desires of her heart, and the only way he could do that, was by letting her be done with her time on this earth.  She is now exactly where she wants to be, doing what she desired so deeply.  I know I will see Annetta again, and I know that only God and Annetta truly appreciate the relationship I had with her.  I mourn as if I lost my own daughter, because she was just that.  She is my daughter and my sister in Christ.  Annetta was one of the strongest missionaries I know.  She truly walked with Christ in her countenance.

I went to San Antonio for her funeral.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever done.  It bugged me so much when people would say, "it's so nice you came".  I just wanted to scream at them- "You moron!  She was my daughter too". I was never given a hug of mourning, I was forgotten.  I was passed by as if I was just another bystander.  I did what I went to do, to help her family as only I knew I could because I was mourning on the inside while being strong on the outside for everyone.  Shoot, now I've made this all about me.  It's not about me.  It's about something so much bigger!  It's about Heavenly Father, or God as some call him.  I like saying Heavenly Father, because it's more personal, He is more personal!  He knows me.  He loves me.  I am his daughter.  I am a child of God. I am here on this earth to prove my integrity, to go through this mortal trial and to prove myself through the trials of temptations and sin and repentance.  I am here, just as you are here, to find joy.  I am here to rise about the World, and to knock Satan in the teeth and to be better.  I am here, so I can move on from this short life and be found worthy and to be resurrected to become like my Father in Heaven!  To live with him and my family, eternally.  Annetta was family, and families can be together forever!  Did you know that?  They can!  By the power of the priesthood, which is the power of Heavenly Father, my family has been sealed for all time and eternity.  A sealing that surpasses, 'death do us part'.  It's the most comforting thing and joyous thing I have in the Earth, this knowledge.  To know that no matter what happens, my family is with me always, as long as I am worthy of them.

So to the world, I just want you to know that the world is now short one amazing girl, but the heavens gained an amazing asset!  She is out helping to teach the gospel on the other side and probably this side too!  Her presence can still be felt.  She is everywhere- in the little spiky balls that got stuck in her sister's hair, in the Minion movie and all Hallmark movies, she is in bad days with mean salty people, she is in every mission call, she is in the temple and every volunteer opportunity with children with disabilities, she is in the messiest of rooms, and the dirtiest of cars.  She is in my heart and soul and I am excited to see her one day.  Cheers to Annetta Hodson De La Certa!

The best part about going back to the States was seeing great friends and my mom!  When my mom found out I would be in the States, we tried to figure out a way to meet up.  In the end, my mom flew to San Antonio and we rented an Airbnb and stayed there a few days.  We were able to go shopping, go to the temple, and also have a marvel movie marathon!  It was great to spend some one on one down time with my mom.

I also stayed with Krista!  She is amazing and we consider her family.  I was able to take her daughter out on a lunch date, and eat some amazing food at BurgerFi.  Oh, how I miss BurgerFi!  We also stayed up super late playing games.  It was amazing being able to spend so much time with Krista and her family.

I also set up time to see my San Antonio peeps.  I was able to meet up with Shauna Fisher, Charity Reno, Ashley Hall, Roshana Popham, Becky Robertson, and Nicole Steadman.  I also stopped and saw my amazing neighbor Angie Lopez and her super cute family!  If it wasn't for Alyssa Hunsaker, I wouldn't have been able to go to the funeral, see my friends or my mom.  Alyssa let me use her car the entire time I was there.  Thank you Alyssa!   I was also able to meet up and visit with Alyssa, Morgan Wilcoxson and Tashina Stoker as we practice the song "A Window to His Love", which we sang at Annetta's funeral.  I also met up with Christy Kauer who so kindly made room for me in her schedule so I can get my hair cut, and Jason Neill stopped by, so I was ale to see him too. I was also able to spend time with Annetta's mom Christine.  It was so wonderful to see her and talk to her and hear the great things she had to say about Netta and different things she said about the kids or our family.

I ended my trip by going to Del Rio with my bestie, Julie Blumenkrantz!  After the funeral and luncheon, I went with Julie back to her place.  We hung out, went shopping, ate real Mexican food, toured her new house, and enjoyed our time together. It was super sweet of her to drive me all the way to her place, then two days later drive me all the way back to San Antonio so I can catch my flight home. That's a true blue best friend right there.

It was a hard trip, and some moments were horrible, but most of them were wonderful because I was surrounded by family!

Kid's Cafe: Big Jump

Koreans really have some things figured out.  One of those are kid's cafes.  Kid's cafes are a moms saving grace and key to sanity.  There are a few of them within a half hour from the base.  The kid's cafe that we tried out is Big Jump  Big Jump is for kids 6 and under and is an indoor play area. I'm sure you are picturing an indoor McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A play place, right?  Oh no!  Think bigger, cleaner, so so cleaner, and add a million more options.

When you first get to Big Jump, you take off your shoes and place them in the shoe cubby outside the room, before you can even enter.

At the door, a little Korean women is there waiting with hand sanitizer in hand.  As the kids walk in, she personally sanitizes all their hands.  The kids immediately go in all different directions and start playing, while the moms go to the register to pay.  For me, since Little Monster is under 2, I just pay about 6000 won ($6) for an hour and a drink for me (Hence the cafe part).  All the moms sit at little tables with our drinks of coke, hot chocolate, cold chocolate or tea.

So let me tell you about all the amazing playing options for my Monster at Big Jump.  There are two trampoline areas.  One is designated for 2 and under, but of course, he prefers the big kid trampoline area.

That area has two tramps that are up on an incline, so it's like a big trampoline slide. About every half hour one of the Korean workers will go in the big kid trampoline room, turn off the lights, and turn on the projector where a sing along song will play and lights will flash dots everywhere.  During this time, the worker will put on a crazy headband with characters wobbling and stand in the middle of the trampoline dancing and singing to the projected song, image or sing-a-long.

Another area is a "sand" pit, but instead of messy sand, they use these tiny wood blocks.  I love the wood blocks.  They are so much cleaner and so fun to play with.  In the sand/block pit there are shovels, tractors, buckets and all the usual sand toys.  Monster loves this room!

Next to the tables for us moms is the toy area.  There are a few car tables filled with cars, trains, roads, tractors, people, and tracks.  Monster loves to play with the cars.

There are also cubbies after cubbies after cubbies of toys of all kinds.  Pretty much every toy you can think of you can find in a cubby.  There are balls, barbies, more cars, large legos, and many other toys.  The best part is that Koreans are extremely clean and organized.  Every time a kid finishes playing and runs to the next toy, before I can get over and pick up the mess, the workers have already swept in and reorganized the toys.  Everything stays so clean, even with 15 plus kids running crazy and messing up the joint.

There is indeed a little McDonald's slide and tunnel area, but it is spanking sparkling clean and much better!  Everything is surrounded by brand new looking colorful soft foam-like material.

At the bottom of this area is a ball pit.  It took a few tries to get Monster to go in there, but he finally went in and was in ball heaven.

The next area is the pretend play area with small kid kitchen stuff and vacuum, and food with shopping carts.  Monster likes to join the little girls and vacuum and shop in here.

The last area is for floor babies.  It's filled with exersaucers, floor mats, floor gyms, and large baby toys.  Monster is out of that stage, so I haven't gone over there.

Big Jump is the best place ever because it's perfect for babies, toddlers and preschool kids to play, interact with peers, practice large motor and fine motor skills, and have new toys to keep them occupied.  Big Jump is perfect for me because it gets me out of the house, I am able to enjoy a delicious hot chocolate, and most importantly, I am able to sit and just gab with friends!  It's the best atmosphere to catch up with friends, plan the next big trip, or just complain about the weather and horrible air quality.  The best money spent for sure!